Electromagnet control device



March 20, 1951 .1. s. ZIMMER ELECTROMAGNET CONTROL DEVICE Filed Sept. 1,1948 W w ..m .n n J m W 6 .mn H o J M if Patented Mar. 20, 1951ELECTROMAGNET CONTROL DEVICE John S. Zimmer, Scotia, N. Y., assignor toGeneral Electric Company, a corporation of New York ApplicationSeptember 1, 1948, Serial No. 47,203

Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in electric control devices, andmore particularly to shockproof electric circuit breakers, relays, andthe like.

Devices, such as circuit breakers, relays, and the like, which areintended to function under abnormal conditions of an electric circuitare liable to operate falsely under shock conditions. On board warcraft,especially in time of battle, such shock-produced false operations mayprove extremely crucial by effecting the de-energization of motors andother apparatus critically needed in operation. Of course, circuitbreakers for a relay could be made insensitive to ordinary mechanicalshock by restraining the motion of the moving parts with a sufficientlystrong spring, or by introducing a sufiicient amount of friction. Theseexpedients, however, are undesirable because the relay or circuitbreaker or like device is thereby made very insensitive to operation inthe intended manner. In other words, in order to overcome the strongrestraining effect, a large force must be applied to the armature of arelay, for example, in order to affect operation of the device on theoccurrence of abnormal circuit conditions. This operating force isobtainable only at the sacrifice of sensitivity of response. Controldevices such as mentioned above have also been made using moving partsbalanced about the axis of rotation, so that a translational shock doesnot cause them to operate. Such arrangements, however, are not proofagainst operation on rotational shock.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved arrangement forrendering devices insensitive to either translational or rotationalshock Without materially interfering with their intended operationalresponse.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a two-position shockproofcontrol device wherein two relatively movable members are jointly andseverally capable of maintaining the device in a given condition withoutaltering said condition on the occurrence of shock and yet are capableof being moved in opposite directions so as jointly to efi'ect a desiredchange in such condition of the device. Finally, in accordance with myinvention, these members may be two armatures arranged on opposite sidesof an energizing coil, the armatures being connected respectively tocomplementary contacts adapted to make or break a circuit in response tomovement of said armatures, the armatures being supported on a base andso mounted as to move relatively with respect to the movement of thebase.

My invention will be better understood from the following descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a top elevational view of a relayembodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of theaforementioned relay; Fig. 3 is an end elevational view with a portionof a supporting bracket broken away to illustrate the spring biasingmeans and slidable mounting arrangement; Fig. 4 is a fragmentarycross-sectional view along line 44 of Fig. 1; Figs. 5, 6 and 7illustrate diagrammatically several operating sequences of the relay inaccordance with my invention; and Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary viewsillustrating in more detail the spring biasing and stop means.

The relay shown in the drawing comprises a base Hi adapted for mountingin any particular position desired. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing,it will be assumed that the base ID is attached to a vertical support(not shown) such as a wall so that the observer is looking toward thetop of the relay.

Centrally located on the base IE! and rigidly but demountably securedthereto by screws or bolts I I is an operating winding 12. A pair ofoppositely disposed E-shaped laminated magnetizable armatures I3 and I lare slidably mounted on the base Ill with their center legs protrudinginto the coil l2 from opposite ends thereof. The magnets are arranged toactuate a pair of electric switch contacts in a manner which will bedescribed hereinafter.

As described, the magnets are mounted on opposite sides of the windingl2 to permit slidable movement of the center legs I5 and iii of themagnets into and out of the coil opening. Means for guiding the legs [5and [6 are provided by a brass channel piece l'l having a slidable fitwithin the coil opening and arranged to partially surround the legmembers l5 and It. This particular arrangement permits the ready removalof the winding in the event of failure of this member or for any otherreason found necessary.

Both magnets are slidably supported on a pair of track-like members l8and I9 integral with the base 10. The members l8 and I9 are providedwith shoulders 20 and 2| disposed respectively along the inner edges ofthese members. The outer legs 22-25 of the magnets are arranged to slidefreely on these shoulders.

Means for guiding and retaining the magnets,

3 so as to insure their movement in a substantially linear direction onthe shoulders 2ll-2l is provided by a pair of supporting members 26 and21 extending laterally from, and fastened to, the base It] intermediatethe ends of said base and the backs of the respective magnets. Thesesupporting members are provided with apertures 28 and 29, as shown inFig. 3, the aperture 2 8 and its counterpart (not shown) in the member26 serving as guides for a pair of lower arms 30--3l integral with apair of U-shaped brackets 32 and 33. These arms and the upper arms 36and 35 of these brackets are secured, respectively, to the" back of themagnets is and M. This arrangement is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4.

In order to maintain the magnets l3 and M in attracted position when thebase it) is subjected to shock movement, I provide motion-stopping meansfor arresting the relative motion of the magnets, with respect to thebase 10, comprising a pair of bell crank members 36 and 3? supported bythe U'-shaped brackets 3233, said members being pivotally movable abouta pair of pin 33 and 39 riveted, brazed or welded to the brackets 32-33.The members 3$-3l are provided, respectively, with bifurcated ends illand ll and dog-leg portions 42 and 4 3 The bifurcated ends are arrangedto engage, respectively, a pair of pins 46 and 65 secured, respectively,to a pair of L-shaped members 45 and 4?. These L-shaped members are inturn secured to pairs of slidable interlocking contact supportingmembers, or control members, 85 l, carrying a plurality of complementarycontact members 52-57.

The contact supporting members are secured, at their points of slidableinterlock, by a plurality of pins 58-E| to a pair of U-shaped brackets62 and 63 which are in turn secured to the first mentioned U-shapedbrackets 32-33. This arrangement provides for the relative movement ofthe contact 525l in response to relative movement of the magnets I3-i t,since one end of each of the contact supporting members td-51 is firmlysecured, respectively, to a plurality of arms 6466 integral with thebrackets 62-63, while the opposite ends of the contact supportingmembers are arranged in slidable engagement with the pins 58fiisupporting said fixed ends. Thus, a pair of members and B8 are rigidlyjoined together by bracket 82, so that arm 37 which is mounted on member59 moves in accordance with the motion of this pair. Similarly, members5! and 49 are joined by bracket 63 and arm 46 mounted on the member 19moves in accordance with the motion of this pair.

The relative movements of the magnets i3i with respect to each otherwill cause the dog-like portions 42-43 to move in and out of theapertures 29 in the guide members 2621 and are so arranged with respectto the backs of the magnets l3-M that they serve to arrest the movementof the magnets under certain operating conditions as will be presentlyexplained.

Means for biasing the magnets to unattracted position are provided by apair of helica1 compression springs 67 and 68, the ends of which aresupported on pairs of cylindrical stop members 69-l2 which are secured,respectively, to the members 2? and 33 and 26 and 32. The purpose of thestops 69-l2 will be explained in connection with the operation of therelay.

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 illustrate diagrammatically several operatingsequences of the relay constructed in accordance with my invention; InFig. 5, the winding 12' has been suitably energized to cause the magnets|3-l4 to be attracted one to the other. The motion of the magnetsthrough the medium of the contact support members 485| cause thecomplementary contacts 525'! to open or close in accordance with anydesired predetermined arrangement. When the magnets [3-44 are attractedone to the other, the members 42 and 43 assume the position shown inFig. 5. Now let us assume thatthe base I!) has been subjected to a shockin a direction shown by an arrow 13, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Thisshock movement causes movement of both anagnets with respect to the basel0 and in the direction shown by'anarrow '54, but without movement ofthe magnets relative to each other. The brackets 32 and 33, the bellcranks 36 and 37 and the contact supporting members 48-51 all move withthe magnets 13 and I4 and without vmovementrelative to each other. Thismovement of the operating parts is opposed by the spring 68 (a shown indetailin Fig. 8), and the dog leg portion 42 of the bell crank member36, positioned betweenthe supporting member: 26. and the back portion ofthe magnet l3 when the coil [2 is energized; servesas a stop to limitmovement of the magnet is in the direction shown by the arrow M. Sincethe inertia of the magnet M will force it into contact with the magnett3, the retention of the magnets i3|4 in their attracted position isassured. Thus, it can be seen that any shock imparted to the basein thedirection shown by the arrow 73' will cause the leading magnet I3 to bestopped and the following magnet M will be urged with greater pressureagainst the magnet l3. If shock is imparted to the base It in theopposite direction, the sa-ineaction will take place in a conversemanner.

Referring now toFig; l, thereiis illustrated the position of themagnetsv I3M when they are in an unattracted position and subjected toshock. In the unattractedposition portions 52 and 43 are inoperable andplay no partin the shockproof function of the device. As in the case of"Fig. 6, the assumed shock impartedtc the base is in the directionindicated by the arrows i3, and the movement of the magnets lit -I lwith respect to the base It is in the direction indicated by the arrow14-. With the coil l2 deenergized, however, the leading magnet. it willmove in the direction indicatedby'the arrow '54 untillstopped by member26, while the magnet 14 has its movement limited by the cylindrical stopmembers li-JZ (as shown in detail in Fig. 9). Thus, the tendency of themagnet i3-is to move as far away from the magnet M as it can, until itengages member 26. It will be understood that members2 T and 25andcylindrical stops GEL-l2 are so positioned and proportioned that thetrailing magnetizable armature, in this case armature I l, cannot movefar enough to contact the other armature, and preferably the trailingarmature is permitted to move a lesser distance than the leadingarmature It can be readily observed that a relay constructed-inaccordance with my -invention will provide a positive shock-proofmechanism capable of maintainingany predetermined operating positionregardlessoi' the direction of shock impact to the relay structure. Itwill be obvious that neither translational or rotational shock will inany way'effect the position taken by the magnets. While Ihaveillustrated, by Way of example, the use of ashockproofstructureadapted to actuate a switching arrangement, such a structure isreadily adapted to operate, by suit- 75 able connecting means, levers,pistons, or other control members, between predetermined operatingpositions.

The embodiment of my invention which has been illustrated and describedhas been selected for the purpose of setting forth the principlesinvolved. It will be obvious that my invention may be modified to meetconditions for diiferent specific uses and it is, therefore, intended tocover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within thespirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A shockproof control device comprising a base, a pair of magnetizablearmatures slidably mounted on said base and arranged for movement towardand away from each other, resilient means connected to said base forbiasing said armatures to unattracted spaced-apart positions, anenergizing coil mounted on said base for simultaneously moving both saidarmatures to attracted positions in engagement with each other, saidbiasing means yieldably centering said armatures with respect to saidbase when said armatures are so engaged, separate fixed stop meanspositioned on said base to limit movement of each of said armaturestoward the other and beyond said centered position, separate movablestop means for each of said armatures, and linkage means connecting eachsaid movable stop means to the other armature whereby said movable stopmeans 2. A shockproof control device comprising a base, a pair ofmagnetizable armatures slidably mounted on said base for movement towardand away from each other, resilient means joining said armatures to saidbase for biasing said armatures to unattracted spaced-apart positions,an energizing coil mounted on said base for simultaneously moving bothsaid armatures to attracted positions in engagement with each other,said biasing means yieldably centering said armatures with respect tosaid base when said armatures are so engaged, separate fixed stop meanspositioned on said base to limit movement of each of said armaturestoward engagement and beyond said centered position, separate movablestop means for each armature actuated by the other armature and operableonly when said armatures are engaged to limit movement of each of saidarmatures in a direction away from the other and beyond its unattractedposition, and a pair of relatively movable cooperating contro1 memberseach fixedly connected to one of said armatures.

3. A shockproof control device comprising a base, a pair of oppositelydisposed E-shaped magnetizable armatures each slidably mounted on saidbase for movement toward and away from each other, resilient meansconnected to said base for biasing said armatures to unattractedspacedapart positions, an energizing coil positioned on said base toencircle the abutting center legs of said armatures for simultaneouslymoving both said armatures to attracted positions in engagement witheach other, said biasing means yieldably centering said armatures withrespect to said base when said armatures are so engaged, separate fixedstop means positioned on said base to limit movement of each of saidarmatures toward engagement and beyond said centered position, amounting bracket fixedly connected to each said armature, movable stopmeans pivotally mounted on each said bracket movable to a position tolimit movement of the associated armature away from the other and beyondits unattracted position, means connecting each said movable stop meanto said other armature for actuation to stopping position only when saidarmatures are engaged, and a pair of cooperating control membersslidably mounted upon said base and each fixedly connected to one ofsaid armatures.

4. An electromagnet control device comprising a base, a pair ofoppositely disposed magnetizable armatures slidably mounted on said basefor movement toward and away from each other, resilient means connectedto said base for biasing said armatures to unattracted spaced apartpositions, an energizing coil positioned on said base for simultaneouslymoving both said armatures to attracted positions in engagement witheach other, said biasing means yieldably locating said armatures in apredetermined position with respect to said base when said armatures areso engaged, separate fixed stop means to limit the movement of each ofsaid armatures toward engagement and beyond said predetermined position,each such separate fixed stop means being constructed and arranged sothat when said coil is deenergized its corresponding armature isprevented from moving far enough beyond said predetermined position tocontact the other armature, movable stop means connected to each saidarmature to limit the movement thereof in a direction away from theother armature and beyond its unattracted position, and means fordisabling said movable stop means when said coil is deenergized and saidarmatures are in their unattracted positions.

5. An electromagnet control device comprising a base, a pair ofmagnetizable armatures slidably mounted on said base for movement towardand away from each other, resilient means connected to said base forbiasing said armatures to unattracted spaced-apart positions, anenergizing coil mounted on said base for simultaneously moving both saidarmatures to attracted positions in engagement with each other, saidbiasing means yieldably locating said armatures in a predeterminedposition with respect to said base when said armatures are so engaged,separate stop means for each armature to limit the movement of each ofsaid armatures in a direction away from the other and beyond itsunattracted position, and a linkage connecting each said stop means tothe other armature for actuation to stopping position only when saidarmatures are engaged.

JOHN S. ZIMMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 984,748 Coleman Feb. 21, 19111,102,528 Lutz July '7, 1941 2,348,021 Oppel May 2, 1944 2,444,157 DriesJune 29, 1948 2,474,742 Kuhn June 28, 1949

